CPN’s Nick Johnson reports on Hillhead 2024, where great weather, great visitor numbers and great displays were let down by poor logistics and awful access.
The sun shone on the Hillhead Quarry this year and there was much new kit on show to lift visitors’ spirits. Unfortunately, the show was let down by poor access, resulting in diabolical traffic jams and epic queues to get in.
The CPN team took just over two hours to cover 10 miles on the opening day, with the last four miles accounting for 90 minutes of that. We spoke to someone on day two who took three hours to get in, setting out from central Buxton – a mere two-and-a-half miles away.
Long-standing visitors of many years related how getting to and in Hillhead has never been great, yet this year was the worst yet. And having braved the traffic, the queues at registration weren’t much shorter. One wag quipped that if the plant industry had a secret service, Hillhead would be in charge of Q Branch.
But once in, it was an impressive spectacle. This year’s show was bigger than ever and noticeable trends were the number of new electric machines, more site dumpers with reversible seats and controls and the increased presence of Chinese equipment makers with large stands.
Here are some of the highlights we encountered, with another hefty dose of new machines to follow in the September issue.
Thwaites
The long-established British site dumper maker Thwaites used Hillhead 2024 to finally reveal its prototype design for a cabbed machine with a rotating seat and controls. Called the Rotator R9, this articulated dumper was shown with a 9.0 tonne capacity non-rotating skip.
The Rotator R9 utilises a 3.6L Deutz TCD engine rated at 55kW and a Bosch Rexroth hydrostatic transmission. The machine will come with a United suspension seat, air conditioning and front and rear cameras as standard. A rotating skip option will follow.
Thwaites was also highlighting how its dumpers will be equipped next year to meet the new manufacturing standard EN474 2022: part 6. From Spring 2025 Thwaites conventional 9-tonne capacity forward tipping dumpers will be supplied exclusively with cabs. The smaller 6-tonne capacity dumpers will become compliant by either being supplied with a cab or the new Thwaites ROPS+ system which includes an additional latch bar which is pulled down over the operator and locked into position.
Bell Equipment UK
A big talking point was the appearance of Bell’s new autonomous ADT on the demonstration haul road at the show. This 40-tonne capacity truck has been used by Chepstow Plant International at Sibelco’s china-clay Cornwood Quarry in Devon since March, when it was launched as the first autonomous ADT in the UK. Hardware for this drive-by-wire ADT has been supplied by technology platform specialists, xtonomy, and this includes radar sensors, high-precision GPS, multi-channel communication systems and on-board processing hardware.
An interesting machine on the Bell stand in the main showground was an EU-marked Bell B30E 6×6 articulated water truck with a water capacity of 27,000l. Sign-written as the Collins Dust Suppression Unit, this unit has auto spread (to ensure a uniform spread of water regardless of vehicle speed), on board water weighing and five pneumatically operated spray valves at the rear.
Another notable exhibit was a CE-marked TC11A tracked carrier. Powered by a 186kW Cummins B6.7 engine, this machine has an unladen weight of 14,000kg and its skip capacity is 11,000kg.
Wacker Neuson
Having done very well in the UK with its Dual View site dumpers, Wacker Neuson made a surprise reveal with a bigger capacity model at Hillhead. Shown in prototype form, the forthcoming DV125 has a 12.5-tonne capacity skip
Wacker Neuson reports that orders for 20 DV125s have already been received from UK customers. The new flagship DV125 with its rotating seat and controls has a rear tipping skip with a heaped capacity of 7.0m3.
The company also displayed its recently introduced DDV45 Dual View dumper which has a rotating cab and a swivel skip with a payload of 4,200kg.
Lekatech
This Finnish company was using Hillhead 2024 to promote its innovative electric breaker attachment. Designated the Leka Toras 35, this groundbreaking product is said to be 70% more energy efficient than comparable hydraulic breakers.
Seen for the first time in the UK, the Leka Tora 35 weighs 540kg (with a 90mm diameter tool and mounting bracket). Input power is 18kW and its adjustable impact rate is 60 to 900 bpm. Impact energy is 300 to 1,500 Joules. The attachment can be used on carriers weighing seven to 16 tonnes.
Dynapac UK
Hillhead 2024 enabled Dynapac to provide the first UK showing of what is claimed to be the first electric paver in the world. Designated the SD1800We, this wheeled paver weighs in at 10.3 tonnes (with standard screed).
The SD1800We can lay material at up to 350 tonnes/h and, with its telescopic screed fully extended, maximum mat width is 4.1m. Maximum paving speed is 25 m/min.
Power for the 55kW 3-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) in the SD1800We is provided by a 98kWh Lithium-ion battery. Recharging from 5% to 80% is said to take less than 1 hour with DC charging.
SMT GB
This dealer provided the UK public debut of the new 23-tonne class Volvo EC230 Electric excavator. This environmentally friendly machine is powered by a 600V lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 264kWh. Running time (depending on application) is said to be around 5 hours with a recharge in as little as 80 minutes.
The stand also featured a Dynapac roller and paver as this dealer has been appointed the exclusive distributor for all Dynapac product lines in Great Britain. The new partnership will be effective from October 1st this year. The deal follows the sale by Volvo Construction Equipment of its paving equipment business to Ammann in June.
Hydrema
A highlight on the Hydrema stand was the recently introduced electric version of the company’s unique small size ADT. The DT6 electric compact dump truck has a front mounted cab and a rear mounted 3.5m3 capacity swivel skip that carries a payload of 5.5 tonnes.
The DT6 electric truck has two electric motors, one 24V motor for the control systems, cab controls and hydraulic valves and one 96V motor to power the ZF eTrac transmission, hydraulic pump and cab heater. There are eight 63kWh lithium-ion batteries – four located on each side of the cab. Charging is via an integrated 18kW fast charger in the machine.
Marubeni-Komatsu
Creating a lot of interest on this company’s stand was the new Komatsu PC210LCE electric excavator. This 21-tonne class machine features lithium-ion battery technology developed by Proterra. The excavator has 451 kWh of battery capacity and is designed to operate for up to 8 hours before recharging is necessary.
The PC210LCE and the diesel-engined PC210LC-11 both now have the new Komatsu excavator cab. This features a new premium seat, a new sunblind design, new coming home lights, new high visibility handrails, a new LED central internal light and an additional door handle. There is also a new control levers option.
Liebherr
Amongst all the different types of diesel-engined machines on the Liebherr stand was the new L507E electric compact loader. This Generation 8 machine weighs 5,815 – 6.415kg and can be fitted with 0.8 to 1.6m3 capacity buckets.
The L507E incorporates a 322V lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 32.2 or 64.4 kWh. This allows running times before recharge of up to 8 or 16 hours. The loader has maximum travel speeds of 20km/h as standard or 30km/h in Speeder configuration.
Sunward
A new machine receiving its first UK showing at Hillhead was Sunward’s prototype SWE50UF mini excavator. Weighing in at 5,350kg, this mini is 2,000mm wide and it is powered by a 29.7kW Kubota D1803-7 diesel engine.
Production versions of the SWE50UF are expected to become available for sale at the end of this year. The Hillhead prototype was shown fitted with a 250mm diameter attachment.
Sany
Whilst Sany was highlighting its larger SY500H and SY390H tracked excavators at Hillhead, visitors could also see how this very large Chinese construction equipment maker is intent on scoring here with other machine types. Prominent with its fully extended boom was the largest of the company’s recently introduced European style, low boom telehandlers – the 4,000kg maximum capacity STH1840 with a maximum lift height of 18.0m.
Sany is also adding vibrating rollers to its UK product offering and there was a STR50C-8K lightweight tandem on its own stand and a self-propelled SSR130C-10H roller (weighing 13 tonnes) on the Clee Hill stand.
The STR50C-8K weighs 4,500kg, has a drum width of 1,380mm and is powered by a 36kW Kubota D2607 diesel engine. Smaller tandem rollers with drum widths of 1,000mm and 1,200mm are scheduled to be launched here next year.
Sany also showed what it claims to be the world’s first small battery powered planer. The prototype SCM500E-10 planer weighs 6,300kg, has a milling width of 500mm and a maximum milling speed of 33 m/min. The unit will shortly be trialled in the UK.
Takeuchi
This Japanese company was putting the spotlight on its new 2 tonne class TB320 3 series tracked mini excavator. Designed for use as a tool carrier this machine provides a good array of auxiliary hydraulic service lines. It features a longer than average track frame to provide better operational stability when using attachments.
Also attracting the attention of Hillhead visitors was the new 7 tonne class TB370W compact wheeled excavator. Features include a tilt-up cab for easier servicing, 270 degree cameras and cruise control. Equipped with a two-piece boom, the Hillhead show machine carried an Engcon EC206B5 tilt rotator and a GB03-150 grading bucket.
Brokk
The latest Smartpower+ generation of Brokk remote controlled demolition robots were on display at Hillhead. Three new rubber tracked models were lined up for the attention of visitors – the 70+, 170+ and 200+ with respective weights of 560kg, 1,600kg and 2,100kg.
These new Brooks each feature an improved interface, augmented sensors, less wiring, more data processing power and over-the-air upgrades. They come with a new lightweight, more durable remote controller that has a bigger display screen. The first 70+ machine in the UK has been sold to EPS Drilling.
Dragon Equipment
This Suffolk based compact plant maker used Hillhead 2024 to unveil its new CR450 diesel engined tracked jaw crusher. This machine is powered by an electric start 14.9kW Kubota engine and its crusher mouth has a 460 by 205mm opening.
The fixed width (970mm) CR450 rides on rubber tracks and it can be operated by an optional remote control unit. Feed height is 1,396mm and the minimum discharge height is 1,035mm. The machine weighs 1,450kg
Waterbrook Machinery
This Alton, Hampshire based company used Hillhead for the UK exhibition introduction of the PowerBully 9D tracked dumper. Made in Germany by Kassbohrer Gelandefahrzeug AG, this machine weighs 12,450kg unladen and its rear tipping skip has a capacity of 7,500kg.
The PowerBully 9D is 2,590mm wide and it is powered by a 173kW Cummins B6.7 diesel engine. Top speed is 14.5km/h. There is also a bigger capacity (11,500kg) PowerBully 12D tracked carrier. Swivel skip versions are likely to be introduced in the future.
